It seems like it's been a few weeks since I read an article that I felt compelled to discuss, then all of a sudden I came across piles of them... so many, that I'm stock piling some for next week...Sony To Bring YouTube To HDTV Sets at 'Broadcasting & Cable' - Well, we're really in the infancy on this whole "bringing the internet to the TV" battle and there's already been a few shots fired (AppleTV, the new Netflix Box, etc) and now this. Remember how everyone was getting their panties in a bunch over the whole Blu-Ray vs. HD DVD vs. DVD thing? Well, forget it... this will be the next big fight and I think it's going to start before Blu-Ray even really catches on. This 'Bravia Internet Video Link' isn't getting a lot of press or anything, but that could be because it only works on the Sony Bravia, I don't know ...but I do know this, Sony, as a company, is a game changer. They've been involved in, and are at the forefront, of every industry changing piece of technology since the Walkman... from Betamax to CD's to DVD's and if they're working on this, this is the next thing. In this regard, they're always an interesting company to watch. Anyhow, this whole shake-up could take years, but the whole concept of easily linking your TV directly to the internet is coming and when it does, the film business is going to be a different business.
Films With Limited Release Find a Home on the Web at The New York Times - This is really cool and a really good sign for indie-filmmakers. Tribeca Film Institute in New York is teaming up with Amazon.com to create a marketplace for old, hard to find and limited release films called Reframe. The thing that makes this a really good sign for indie-filmmakers is that it monetizes the old films, as opposed to just letting them be seen. Think Amazon vs. Youtube. This may actually be a project to watch, as figuring out how to monetize specialty content through new distribution methods has been the big issue surrounding where 'things are going'. Once they figure out how to make money on films like this, the same model could be applied to low-budget indie-horror... and if the same model can be applied to low-budget horror, cha-ching... that means money for you.
Specialty biz feels jitters at THR.com - The bad news continues for specialty divisions of studios, as Paramount Vantage gets sucked into its parent company, Paramount. This article actually does a good job of describing the issue and problem, plus explains why Focus, Miramax, Sony Classics and Fox probably won't suffer the same fate, but whatever, bring it on. Widen that gap between the indie's and the studio's... there's a revolution coming and if you're reading this, chances are you're on the right side.
Ratings: 'Swingtown' vs. 'Fear Itself' at THR.com - well, as expected, "Fear Itself" did not tear it up on NBC last Thursday. There's a couple problems, one being that it premiered at the same time as game one of the NBA Finals and, well... it's the summer and most people aren't watching TV. I'd say they're outdoors, but I think we just drink more in the summer, I know I do. In any case, I expect that you'll see it air on NBC for another 3, maybe 4 episodes and then it'll be moved over to NBC's sister station, The Sci-Fi Channel (both are owned by NBC Universal). As for my review... "The Sacrifice" really wasn't great, I'm sorry. It seemed a bit labored, but all in all, I guess it could've been worse. It was written by Mick Harris and directed by Breck Eisner, both of whom I would not consider to be 'horror all-stars'. I think NBC is missing the boat on this and that a series like this COULD work on network TV, but they're going about it the wrong way. I could go on as to what I feel the right way is, as I do have theories on how this could work, but I don't want to... maybe I'll save those thoughts for a future post.
Oh... and this just in, as expected, "The Happening" sucks - Film Review: The Happening at THR.com
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